Ryan’s ground fears for Tiddliwinks
The Guy Reed-owned six-year-old beat some of the smartest speedsters in the land when making a winning start to his season in the Duke of York Stakes in mid-May.
He proved that to be no fluke when winning the Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh 10 days later and drops back from six to five furlongs on his return to the track.
Ryan said: “The horse is in great form, but we need the ground to dry up a bit.
“Royal Ascot was never on the agenda for him and we decided to come here.
“He has to give weight away all round, but that doesn’t bother me as he won with top-weight at the Curragh last time.
“I’ll just have to see what the ground is like when I get there.”
Tiddliwinks is one of six British challengers for the Group Three prize, with a total of field of nine declared.
Roger Charlton’s Definightly has gone close twice this season and the Beckhampton trainer is confident of another big run.
He said: “I think five furlongs is probably his best trip in a way and he loves soft ground, so hopefully it stays soft.
“He’s a horse who travels well and he’s been abroad plenty of times now, so the journey to Ireland shouldn’t worry him.
“I think all the horses in the race are much of a muchness. Our horse is at least as good as them if not a little better, so fingers crossed.”
Rae Guest’s Mirza steps up in class after winning a handicap at Newmarket and a Listed race at Cork in little over a week.
“He’s in great form and it’s a stiffer five furlongs than Cork, which should be in his favour,” said Guest.
“It’s an open race but hopefully our horse has a big chance as he loves this softer ground. We’re keen to keep going with him while the ground is testing as it inconveniences other horses but doesn’t inconvenience him.”
Ron Harris saddles two runners in Judge ’N Jury and Secret Witness and he is confident both can make their presence felt.
Harris said: “Judge is in great order and I thought it was a really gutsy performance under top-weight at York the other week.
“He’s run well at the Curragh before when he was second to Reverence a few years ago. The ground was very deep that day, so he should handle conditions tomorrow.
“Secret Witness was unlucky at York a couple of starts back as he tripped coming out of the stalls.
“Last week in the Wokingham there was no pace where he was drawn. He’s a horse who needs to be covered up and come from behind, but he couldn’t do that last week.
“There’ll be plenty of pace on in Ireland, so I think he could run a really big race.
“I wouldn’t like to choose between them as they have two different styles of running. If something takes Judge on in front, that will play into the hands of Secret Witness, so we’ll see what happens.”
Stuart Williams has declared Eton Rifles for both this race and the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle which is subject to an 8am inspection.
